How to Find Pre-1976 U.S. Publications (some starting hints)
To find a document, we need a SuDoc number. Try these:
If it’s a Congressional publication, use LN Congressional or CIS indexes.
If you know the SERIES (e.g. Army Technical Manual, BLS Bulletin) use Andriot.
If you have a publication title, use the Cumulative Title Index on row H.
If you’re reasonably certain of the date, you can go straight to the Monthly Catalogs on row G/H and use the indexes accordingly.
If it is 1909 or earlier, use the Checklist, shelved in Row G (C 3.2:C 41/2).
Once you have the SuDoc, check the GPL shelflist.
Once you have the SuDoc, check the GPL shelflist to see if we received it
Some older documents are in MLAC, see the separate Storage shelflist (blue labels) - x-ref cards are in regular shelflist
The shelflist indicates pretty complete holdings and cross references through about 1992
Check MNCAT even if it is before 1976; many earlier publications are there:
GPL holdings cataloged because of interest or circulation
Depository materials sent to Wilson or other collections
Copies acquired for other collections
Law Library holdings (will usually give you the SuDoc)
Materials sent to MLAC by other libraries
Remember that we have some useful backup collections
The complete Serial Set is in fiche in the Law Library
All Congressional hearings are in fiche in the Law Library
We own copies of EVERYTHING indexed in the Monthly Catalog from 1958-72, in a Readex microprint collection in S-34; these are filed by Monthly Catalog entry